Mail & Photos to Surry County Detention Center. Two Addresses, One Rule

Two Mailing Addresses, Two Different Purposes

This is the most important thing to get right when writing to someone at Surry County Detention Center. There are two mailing addresses, and each serves a specific purpose. Using the wrong one will delay or lose your mail.

Personal Mail (Letters, Cards, Photos)

All personal mail goes to a Greensboro mail processing address, not to the facility in Dobson:

Surry County Detention Center
[Inmate Full Name], [Inmate ID Number], Facility ID 5188
PO Box 18247
Greensboro, NC 27419

You must include all three pieces of identifying information: the person’s full name, their inmate ID number, and Facility ID 5188. Missing any of these can result in mail being delayed or rejected.

What happens to your mail: Surry County Detention Center scans all personal mail digitally. After scanning, the physical mail is destroyed. The person reads your letter on a tablet inside the facility. They will never hold the paper you wrote on, but they will read your words.

Legal Mail and Money Orders

Legal mail (from attorneys, courts) and money orders go directly to the facility in Dobson:

[Inmate Full Name], [Inmate ID Number]
Surry County Detention Center
P.O. Box 827
Dobson, NC 27017

Legal mail must be clearly marked “Legal Mail” on the outside of the envelope. It is opened in the inmate’s presence, not beforehand, to protect attorney-client privilege.

Money orders: Mail money orders to this Dobson address as well, not to the Greensboro PO Box. See the send money guide for full money order instructions.

Return Address Requirement

Your return address must include your full first and last name. Do not use initials, a nickname, or a business name only. Mail without a proper return address may be rejected.

Page Limits and Paper Rules

Item	Limit
Pages per envelope	10 maximum
Max page size	5” x 11”

Standard letter paper works fine. Do not use paper larger than 5 by 11 inches. Cards are allowed if they fit within the page count and do not contain prohibited items.

Photos

You may include photos in personal mail sent to the Greensboro PO Box. Photos are subject to the same scanning process as letters.

Accepted:

• Standard print photos (not Polaroid)
• Greeting cards with photos printed on them
• Drawings

Not accepted:

• Polaroid photos
• Nude or partially clothed images
• Photos with explicit, violent, or sexually suggestive content
• Photos featuring gang signs, symbols, or drug/alcohol references

Greeting Cards and Drawings

Greeting cards are accepted if they meet these conditions:

• No glitter, no glue, no tape, no stickers
• No 3D elements, raised designs, or pop-ups
• No electronic components (sound chips, LED, etc.)
• No explicit or violent content

Drawings are accepted under the same content rules as photos and cards.

Books and Magazines

Books and magazines cannot be sent through the personal mail PO Box in Greensboro. Send them directly from a vendor (softback only) to the physical facility:

[Inmate Full Name], [Inmate ID Number]
Surry County Detention Center
P.O. Box 827
Dobson, NC 27017

Books: Softback only. No hardcover books. Order from an online retailer or publisher and ship directly to the Dobson P.O. Box. Do not include books in a personal mail envelope.

Magazines: Send by subscription or direct from the publisher to the Dobson P.O. Box. Single-issue magazines sent by individuals may not be accepted.

What Is Not Allowed in Mail

The following will cause mail to be rejected:

• Glitter, glue, tape, or adhesive of any kind
• 3D elements, stickers, puffy designs, or raised features
• Electronic components (sound chips, batteries, anything powered)
• Nude or partially clothed photos
• Explicit, violent, or sexually suggestive content
• Gang signs, symbols, or references
• Cash, personal checks, or money orders (use the Dobson address for money orders; use JailPackStore for online deposits)
• Originals of important documents (birth certificates, IDs, court papers). These will not be returned.
• Packages or items beyond paper, photos, and permitted cards

What Happens to Rejected Mail

Mail that does not pass review is rejected. The facility may return it or hold it. Do not send originals of important documents; if the mail is rejected, they may not be returned. Use certified mail with a return receipt if copies of documents are necessary, and keep the originals.

Legal Mail: How It Works

Any mail marked “Legal Mail” from an attorney, court, or legal organization is handled differently. It arrives at the Dobson P.O. Box and is opened in front of the inmate, not inspected before delivery. Mark the envelope clearly as “Legal Mail” and include the attorney’s name and bar number if applicable.

If Mail Does Not Arrive

If the person has not received mail you sent:

1. Check that you used the correct address (Greensboro PO Box for personal mail, Dobson P.O. Box 827 for legal mail and money orders).
2. Check that you included the inmate ID number and Facility ID 5188 on the personal mail envelope.
3. Check that your return address included your full first and last name.
4. Allow time for the scanning and delivery process after the mail is received.
5. Call the facility at (336) 401-8975 to ask whether mail was received or rejected.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Surry County Detention Center is through Pigeonly. Upload your photos or write your letter online, and Pigeonly prints and mails everything to the facility for you, following the mail rules listed above.